Northern California PGA announces 2013 section awards recipients

VACAVILLE, Calif. -- The Northern California PGA announced the 19 recipients of its 2013 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf.

PGA Professional Len Dumas, has garnered the 2013 NCPGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, one of the highest honors the Association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional. Dumas is being recognized for his dedication, leadership, inspiration, and service.

"Our award recipients are not just being recognized for excellence in their particular area of the golf industry, but more importantly as role models for the community," said NCPGA Awards Chairman Ted Mattila, PGA. "On a daily basis they make a positive impact on young people, disabled persons, military personnel, numerous charities, and the general public. For them it is a very rewarding career choice."

Bill Johnson, PGA Director of Instruction of Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, Calif., has garnered the 2013 NCPGA Teacher of the Year Award. Johnson is being honored for his contributions to golf instruction for players and professionals at the facility, PGA Section, and National level. People of all ages and playing levels can take advantage of the resources at their local facility. There are PGA Golf Instructors there who can help them learn or improve their golf skills.

PGA Professional Greg Raleigh of Somersett Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev. has garnered the 2013 NCPGA Horton Smith Award for contributions to professional education for PGA Professionals and Mike Dowd, PGA Head Golf Professional of Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Oakdale, Calif. the 2013 NCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award for his mentoring of PGA Professionals.

Bob Forse, PGA Head Golf Professional of Rosewood Lakes Golf Course in Reno, Nevada, has garnered the 2013 NCPGA Patriot Award. The Patriot Award is presented to a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.

Phil Green, PGA Professional and manager/owner of Home on the Range in Newcastle, Calif., is awarded the 2013 Player Development Award for his dedication and leadership in bringing innovative golf programs to juniors, adults, and disabled golfers to help grow the game. An increasing number of golf facilities have developed programs and exciting events for all ages and skill levels in which the public can participate. PGA Professional Andy Nisbet of Las Positas Golf Course/GRIP Junior Golf Academy in Livermore, Calif., the 2013 Junior Golf Leader Award for developing a wealth of exciting and educational golf programs to juniors.

The NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year awards span three categories: Private, Public, and Resort. Tim Burr, PGA Director of Golf at Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, Calif., is the 2013 Private Merchandiser of the Year. Rob Dugan, PGA Head Golf Professional at Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco, Calif., is the 2013 Public Merchandiser of the Year. Kyle Winn, PGA Head Golf Professional at Half Moon Bay Golf Links in Half Moon Bay, Calif., is the 2013 Resort Merchandiser of the Year. All three award winners and their merchandising teams have excelled in golf shop operations. Golf pro shops are an excellent way for the general public to get individualized attention and expertise from trained staff who are familiar with the array of golf products because they use them every day.

Pat Jones, PGA Head Golf Professional of Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses in Seaside, Calif., has earned the 2013 NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year Award for his expertise in fitting golfers with the proper equipment. Club fitters directly help the golf playing public to improve their playing ability and their enjoyment of the game. PGA Assistant Golf Professional Joe Dolby of Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club in Palo Alto, Calif. has garnered the 2013 NCPGA Assistant Apprentice of the Year Award.

PGA Director of Instruction Dave Carr of Teal Bend Golf Course in Sacramento, Calif., earns top honors as Player of the Year (Regular Division) proudly presented by Yamaha Golf Cars. PGA Teaching Professional Shawn McEntee of Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif., garnered the Senior Player of the Year (50-64 years) honors and PGA Life Member Larry Babica of Redding, Calif., earned the Super Senior (65+ years) Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year. These awards are both presented by ILT Golf Vacations. PGA Assistant Golf Professional David Solomon of Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, Calif., wins the Assistant Apprentice Player of the Year award presented by Global Tour Golf. All Players of the Year were awarded this distinction based upon their 2013 tournament year point standings.

Gary Renelt of NCGRA/Bridgestone is the recipient of the 2013 NCPGA Sales Representative of the Year Award. The award is given to an individual for their service to Northern California PGA Professionals, their merchandising team members and to the Section. Jerry Stewart of the Monterey Herald in Monterey, Calif., has been selected as the 2013 NCPGA Sports Media Person of the Year. Stewart is being recognized for his support and coverage of local Golf Professionals, events, and charities.

Pat Finlen of The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., is the recipient of the inaugural 2013 NCPGA Golf Course Superintendent of the Year Award. The award is given to an individual for their expertise in the maintenance, operations, and management of golf courses and their leadership contributions within the NCPGA Section.

Awards Ceremony
The NCPGA will recognize its 2013 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, December 8 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President's Dinner at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif. This event, a highlight for the year, will be held the evening prior to the NCPGA Annual Meeting. There are more than 200 golf professionals and industry leaders expected to attend. E-Z-Go Textron is a presenting partner and PGA Resort and Spa and the Northern California Golf Representatives Association is a supporting partner of the Awards Ceremony & Annual Meeting.

About the Northern California Section of the PGA of America (NCPGA)
Organized in 1920 to promote interest in the game of golf, the birth of this association was heralded as an important step to the advancement of the game in this district. The Northern California Section is one of the forty-one designated Sections of the PGA of America, the world's largest working sports organization. With over 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals and apprentices at over 500 golf facilities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada, the association continues to have a positive impact on the game of golf and communities both regionally and nationally. For more information, please visit www.ncpga.com.

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